Abstract: The invention is directed to the removal of serum gal-3 from circulation by plasmapheresis, comprising at least in part donor apheresis, using gal-3 binding agents in either a fixed bed, or in a form easily removed, such as by being complexed with magnetic particles. This method, on its own, brings a sharp reduction and relief from the inflammation and fibroses that can be induced by circulating gal-3. The process may be combined with the administration of gal-3 binding agents, such as modified citrus pectin, to further lower unbound gal-3 levels, to the point where gal-3 in the tissues may be addressed. This method may also be combined with removal of TNF receptors to provide an effective treatment for cancer.

Abstract: A non-invasive female urine collection device comprising a first pipe with an inflatable balloon attached to a first end of the first pipe; and a urine collection member attached to a second end of the first pipe such that, when the first end of the first pipe is inserted into vagina, the urine collection member covers urethra for collecting the urine discharged through the urethra. The urine collection member further comprising a first membrane and a second membrane together forming a urine collection pouch, in that the second membrane is shorter than the first membrane exposing the first membrane around Urethra for collecting the urine discharged through the urethra. The urine collection member further comprising a set of spikes formed on the first membrane in line with the urethra to prevent splashing of urine coming out of urethra.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system of circumferentially (preferably helically) arranging indicia on the elongate body of a medical device such as a catheter. The disclosure also relates to an anchor drain for securing a surgical drain to a fluid collection device. The anchor drain resists disconnection of the surgical drain from the fluid collection device and also resists occlusion of the conduit connecting the surgical drain and the fluid collection device, even when a suture is tied about a portion of the anchor drain inserted within the surgical drain, and resists unintentional withdrawal of the surgical drain from the body or a body cavity.

Abstract: A urinary catheter support configured to support an indwelling urinary catheter such that the urinary catheter is secured relative to the penis of a male patient includes a flexible main body having an interior size and configured to receive and accommodate the penis of the male patient. A catheter support is located at a front end of the main body and is configured to support a catheter adjacent a longitudinal axis of the main body. A slot extends along the longitudinal axis through the main body and the catheter support. A strap includes first and second end segments and a middle segment between the first and second end segments. The first and second end segments respectively extend through first and second openings in the main body, and the middle segment extends through an interior of the main body.

Abstract: A system for deploying an intraocular shunt can include an intraocular shunt inserter and a deflector component that is releasable attachable to a distal end portion of the inserter. The inserter can include a housing having a distal end portion and a needle extending from the distal end portion. The deflector component can have a needle guide configured to receive the needle of the inserter therein. The deflector component can be coupled to the inserter in order to permit the needle guide to bend the needle and maintain the needle in a bended configuration.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing ostomy faceplates in proximity to negative pressure wound devices. This may be achieved, for example through the use of an ostomy appliance or faceplate with a non-circular flange for attachment of a bag or pouch. In accordance with some embodiments, this non-circular flange may be substantially “D”-shaped, and/or have at least one substantially straight edge. In some embodiments, the ostomy faceplate may itself be noncircular and/or “D”-shaped; may include a cutting guide for cutting materials used with an NPWD; may contain an asymmetrically located aperture; and/or may comprise one or more tapered edges.

Abstract: Some embodiments have a pump assembly mounted to or supported by a dressing for reduced pressure wound therapy. The dressing can have visual pressure, saturation, and/or temperature sensors to provide a visual indication of the level of pressure, saturation, and/or temperature within the dressing. Additionally, the pump assembly can have a pressure sensor in communication with the flow pathway through the pump, and at least one switch or button supported by the housing, the at least one switch or button being accessible to a user and being in communication with the controller. The pump assembly can have a controller supported within or by the housing, the controller being configured to control an operation of the pump. The pump can be configured to be sterilized following the assembly of the pump such that all of the components of the pump have been sterilized.

Abstract: An implantation tool to implant a paranasal sinus fluid access implant device to fluidly connect the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit with a paranasal sinus has a securement mechanism reconfigurable from a securement configuration to secure the implant device to a mounting portion of a carrier member to a released configuration to release the implant device from the carrier member, and with a release mechanism disposed at least partially in an interior working space housed within the implantation tool. An implantation method with an approach through the palpebral fissure advances the implant device through a surgical route mostly under tension.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wound packing material, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, comprising a body of a porous material, the body comprising frangible regions defining a plurality of portions, the frangible regions allowing the portions to be selectively removed from the body. The wound packing material can be shaped to partially or fully surround a secondary wound packing member, such as a stabilizing structure. Some embodiments further relate to methods of manufacturing the wound packing material, and to methods of its use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for removing cytokines and/or pathogens from blood or blood serum (blood) by contacting the blood with a solid, essentially non microporous substrate which has been surface treated with heparin, heparan sulfate and/or other molecules or chemical groups (the adsorbent media or media) having a binding affinity for the cytokine or pathogen(s) to be removed (the adsorbates), and wherein the size of the interstitial channels within said media is balanced with the amount of media surface area and the surface concentration of binding sites on the media in order to provide adequate adsorptive capacity while also allowing relatively high flow rates of blood through the adsorbent media.

Abstract: The invention relates to urinary catheters having a catheter tube with a first connection on the distal end and at least one catheter eye to be positioned in the urinary bladder. The urinary catheters are distinguished in particular in that they may be used problem-free as indwelling catheters. To this end, disposed in the urinary bladder is a reservoir container that is connected via a channel running parallel to the catheter tube to a second connection as distal end of the channel. In addition, the channel is connected to the urethra via at least one opening of the channel wall.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment a method to promote healing of a wound is provided comprising contacting the wound with a biologically active composition comprising a lipoic acid derivative and gelatin. In another embodiment a wound dressing is provided comprising a scaffold coated with a biologically active composition comprising a lipoic acid derivative. In a further embodiment, a system is provided for treating a tissue site of a patient, the system comprising a reduced-pressure source to supply reduced pressure, a manifold to distribute reduced pressure to a tissue site and a scaffold coated with a biologically active composition comprising a lipoic acid derivative. Methods for producing such a system and scaffold are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter has a double-action retention mechanism with (a) one retention mechanism having a reinforced retention body transformable into a deployed flower-like configuration when the catheter is inserted in the bodily cavity, and (b) a stabilizer securing the catheter to a patient's body to maintain a stable position. The retention mechanism for securing the catheter in the bodily cavity is configured with a thickened or reinforced wall portions of the retention body. The inner channel of the catheter body is wider than conventional catheters, thus attaining better drainage and better fluid flow. Due to the reinforced flower configuration, an inadvertent removal of the catheter with the flower configuration fully deployed will afflict no significant damage.

Abstract: Ureteral catheters and assemblies are provided including: a drainage lumen including a proximal portion configured to be positioned in at least a portion of a patient's urethra and a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's ureter and/or kidney, the distal portion including a coiled retention portion including at least a first coil having a first diameter and a second coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter; or wherein the retention portion extends radially outwardly from a portion of the distal end of the drainage lumen portion, the retention portion including a proximal end having a first diameter, a distal end having a second diameter, and a wall and/or surface extending therebetween, the retention portion having a second diameter is greater than the first diameter when deployed; or wherein the retention portion includes a plurality of drainage tubes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catheter pump assembly is disclosed. The catheter pump assembly can include an impeller assembly. A catheter body can be coupled with the proximal end of the impeller assembly, the catheter body having a reduced stiffness section disposed proximally of the impeller assembly. A sheath assembly can be configured to be translate over the catheter body relative to the impeller assembly from an impeller assembly delivery position to an impeller assembly deployment position. When the sheath assembly is in the impeller assembly deployment position, a reduction in stiffness is provided between the distal end of the sheath assembly and the impeller assembly.

Abstract: A body cavity drainage device includes a drainage tube with a distal end configured for insertion into the body cavity of a patient, a fluid outlet at a proximal end of the drainage tube; and an activation apparatus coupled to the drainage tube between the proximal end of the drainage tube and the distal end of the drainage tube. The activation apparatus may be configured to alter a position of the distal end of the drainage tube in response to an input at a control device of the activation apparatus, and a first portion of the drainage tube extending from the activation apparatus toward the distal end may be at least substantially coaxial with a second portion of the drainage tube extending from the activation apparatus toward the proximal end. Methods relate to forming a body cavity drainage devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a holder. The holder includes a main body, the main body including an interior surface and an exterior surface, a film that extends around at least a portion of the circumference of a first end of the main body and covers an opening of the first end of the main body, and a sheet including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface opposed to the first surface, the first surface operably attached to the seal at at least one point, the sheet configured to extend a distance along an interior of the main body from the first end towards a second end, wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the sheet contacts the interior surface of the main body, and wherein a liquid composition contacts a second surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A connector-with-integrated-check-valve for minimizing microbial migration to catheter-tubing is formed from three parts: a connector-for-catheter-tubing that is hollow and with an internal valve seat; an elastomer gate (sometimes with disc and stem); and a connector-for-extension-tubing that is hollow and with support-surfaces.

Abstract: A sheathed tubular semi-rigid balloon catheter for performing probing, irrigation, dilation, suction and potential intubation of the nasolacrimal system or paranasal sinus system to treat for stenosis or obstruction. The catheter includes a sheathed tubular probe portion through which a tracer fluid can be injected and through which suctioning of blood or other material can be conducted. The sheath portion of the device can have a distal segment that is inflated in order to dilate parts the nasolacrimal or paranasal sinus system. The high axial load accommodating catheter tool includes a more secure and inexpensively manufactured bond between the metallic semi-rigid tube of the probe portion and the plastic hand-manipulable, multi-connector hub using an enlarged bonding collar.

Abstract: Ureteral catheters and assemblies are provided including: a drainage lumen including a proximal portion configured to be positioned in at least a portion of a patient's urethra and a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's ureter and/or kidney, the distal portion including a coiled retention portion including at least a first coil having a first diameter and a second coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter; or wherein the retention portion extends radially outwardly from a portion of the distal end of the drainage lumen portion, the retention portion including a proximal end having a first diameter, a distal end having a second diameter, and a wall and/or surface extending therebetween, the retention portion having a second diameter is greater than the first diameter when deployed; or wherein the retention portion includes a plurality of drainage tubes.